Without sufficient vitamin K the blood will not clot properly, and any leakage from the tiny capillaries under the eyes may pool and create very dark, bruise-like discoloration. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is because even though short nights don’t usually cause under-eye circles, a lack of sleep can make your skin tone look pale—which can, in turn, make darkness underneath the eyes more noticeable. Sleep deprivation: Not getting enough sleep can elevate inflammation levels within the body, which makes it harder for constricted blood vessels to drain the blood from under your eyes. Some of the most common causes of true under-eye circles are: Although lack of vitamin B12 is not a direct reason causing dark circles, it may be a major contributing factor. Not responsible for errors or omissions. Sometimes, what people might perceive as dark circles has nothing to do with pigmentation of the skin. Lack of Vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids can lead to the formation of dark circles under the eyes. Oversleeping can also cause dark eye circles. We noticed right away that he had a problem with his diet because of the dark circles around his eyes. This section shows a full list of all the diseases and conditions listed as a possible cause of Dark circles under eyes in our database from various sources. Dark circles can also form due to dehydration. Allergies can cause the eyes to sink and dark circles to form under … If experienced on a chronic basis, stress can affect one’s ability to get sufficient sleep. On the contrary, we want to inform you of the possible causes of dark circles under the eyes. “The trick was to eat smaller portion sizes and to stay away from the junk foods”, he says. Also drinking any liquids right before bedtime might make you wake up during the night to use the bathroom, which could keep you from getting a full night’s rest. Avoiding too much salt which causes fluid retention can make your area under eye circles look less prominent, and also, in some cases, eliminate them altogether. When these organs don't function properly bags can form under the eyes because of fluid retention or lymph malabsorption. Not enough vitamin K – Dark circles under the eyes can be a sign of vitamin K deficiency. But in someone with an allergy, the body’s immune system treats the substance (called an allergen) as an invader and reacts inappropriately, resulting in symptoms that can be anywhere from annoying to possibly harmful to the person. If you suspect the dark circles are due to allergies, we have an allergy tests here for foods, environmental, and chemical allergies. Dark circles under the eyes may look like a minor issue, but you have to circle back to its possible cause. Dark circles under the eyes are usually caused by being tired. People who deal with seasonal allergies might also experience puffiness around the eye area, which Icecreamwala noted is a build-up of fluid. Another thing that can cause dark circles beneath the eyes is something known as periorbital hyperpigmentation, which is basically a condition that results in more melanin being produced by the skin below the eyes, resulting in it appearing to be a darker color. Sometimes, what appear to be dark circles under your eyes may merely be shadows cast by puffy eyelids or hollows under your eyes that develop as a normal part of aging. Apart from a poor diet, lack of sleep and water can also build dark circles around the eyes. The most common cause for brownish circles under your eyes is due to a disorder called “Periorbital hyper pigmentation” that causes dark circles as it produces an abundance of melanin around your eyes, giving them a slightly darker color. For me leaving the dark circles under my eyes alone is quite simply not an option. After the first two weeks, he lost three pounds and noticed other positive changes in his body. Dry eyes and allergic reactions can cause dark circles. Yes, dark circles under the eyes may be simply irritated skin, not tired skin or irregularly pigmented skin. Excessive smoking or drinking can contribute to under-eye circles. So, I would say from the age of 25 onwards I started to fall in love with glasses again and have been wearing them all the time since and I am now nearly 30 (Next month!). Make sure you eat a clean plant-based diet and drink a good amount of water each day to flush your system. “Not having enough fluids in the body can shrink skin cells, making dark circles more noticeable,” it explains. Your email address will not be published. A lack of needed rest “can make the skin appear more pale and the eyes more sunken, both of which can make dark circles more noticeable,” notes WebMD. But that's not all there is to it. Perhaps you aren't suffering from a deficiency of vitamins or minerals; you're suffering from a deficiency of adequate sleep. He is on the right road to getting to his ideal weight. In the end, you always have to consult a doctor. Eczema; Stress; As we get older, our skin becomes thinner. Eating too much or less of certain foods can show up on the outside – on your face and skin. Breast milk and formula is filled with iron-rich nutrients. Certain foods can cause dark circles and also damage the glow on your face. As noted above, “dark circles” has become a universal phrase people use to describe a multitude of issues. They can also show signs of imbalances in the body. Or if you want some eye creams, here’s an option one natural beauty blogger can’t live without . Dark circles are only not because of lack of proper sleep. The following tips will do help prevent puffy eyes and bags under eyes. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Medical Conditions Causing Dark Circles #1 – Allergies. Not enough vitamin K – Dark circles under the eyes can be a sign of vitamin K deficiency. Good sources of vitamin C include oranges, peppers, kiwi fruit, grapefruit, strawberries, Brussels sprouts, and cantaloupe. Allergies can also cause dark circles. It is best to shop at a natural health food store and to cook at home, rather than eating out all of the time. When the circulation slows, the blood vessels under the eyes become enlarged and look darker. Specific food allergies – allergies are definitely associated with dark circles, and food allergies are a major culprit. Caffeine is one of the main causes of dark circles. Concealing them with make-up, yes a possibility but what a pain in the neck having to do this everyday. Symptoms of anemia include listlessness, loss of energy, and dark discoloration under the eyes. Sometimes, what appear to be dark circles under your eyes may merely be shadows cast by puffy eyelids or hollows under your eyes that develop as a normal part of aging. Although there are many studies suggesting the benefits of nutritional and herbal supplementation, there is not enough evidence to suggest that supplements, in general, have any beneficial effect on health and disease. We are not responsible for the use or misuse of this information. He now looks 10 years younger! You know those nights when you just can’t seem to fall asleep and you look in the mirror the next day and are slightly horrified by what you see there. His Diet Typing indicated that he needed to eat more protein and less simple carbohydrates. The bane of most Indian women, dark circles can be the direct result of not sleeping enough, not eating right or indulging in a little too much fun the night before, or can even be exacerbated by small, everyday things that you may have overlooked. If you want to treat it properly, you need to identify why it is happening in the first place. Those dark circles that showed his nutrient deficiencies have diminished. Although these factors are out of your hands, some factors that lead to dark circles—such as diet—are not … Anemia is most often induced by not having enough iron in the diet to produce the correct number of red blood cells the body requires. To ensure you’re getting enough Zzz’s, you may need to switch up your sleep routine . It can also be seen as a result of binging and purging behavior, especially when the individual is purging everything they eat. As Benjamin explains, if you’re lying down for too long, blood can pool underneath the eyes and show up as dark circles. The most common cause of anemia is from not getting enough iron in the diet to make the right amount of red blood cells the body needs. ; Dark circles under the eyes can also be caused by allergies, … Rubbing the eyes due to itching doesn’t help either as it can cause broken blood vessels. Looking for a natural treatment for fibromyalgia? Solar induced brown spots can also develop. That just leaves me with treating them with an eye cream. If you are having trouble sleeping, it could be due to caffeine or sugar, which can keep you awake at night. By the time your body cries ‘I’m thirsty!’, you are already dehydrated. The information presented here does not constitute a physician-patient consultation. It not only works to diminish fine lines and dark, under-eye circles, but it also keeps your skin plump for a youthful dewy finish. The skin around the eyes is the most delicate of the body. We gave him a Diet Typing test to find out his Blood pH and oxidation rate. It’s because when the body is not receiving enough amount of water, the skin beneath the eyes begins to look dull, and the eyes may look sunken. Too much alcohol and caffeine – Both alcoholic drinks and caffeinated drinks like soda, coffee, and tea can increase dehydration. Most people assume that getting older or just not getting enough sleep are the culprits behind dark circles. You can find it in seafood, meat or green leafy vegetable. It's not just a lack of sleep that leads to serious dark circles. Diet sodas usually contain aspartame, which is an artificial sweetener that can cause heart disease and can cause exhaustion for your body long-term. He wasn’t eating nutrient-filled foods like dark green vegetables, whole grain breads, nuts, legumes, and lean meats, nor was eating the right amount of each food group. Certain foods could cause an allergy, but you may not even know you are allergic. If so, you probably need to cut them down. When you see dark circles you’re actually seeing the network of blood vessels that lies just under the skin, which is thin and delicate in the under eye area. Do not wait until you are thirsty before drinking up. Make sure you are eating enough iron-rich foods, such as: fortified cereals; eggs; green leafy vegetables like spinach; broccoli; beef; especially liver Also, dark circles from allergies are caused by superficial venous congestion in the capillaries under eyes. In fact, some of the most common causes of under-eye circles, according to the Mayo Clinic, are allergies, eczema, fatigue, rubbing or scratching your eyes, thinning skin that comes with aging, and simply inheriting a propensity for them. Poor sleep may cause dark circles under the eyes. Try out these 7 ways to erase under-eye circles. For example, if you are a coffee addict, then be prepared to see under eye dark circles all the time. They make you look tired, and perhaps because of that most people assume that they’re caused by lack of sleep. We all go through our fair share of stressful days and as a result, stubborn dark circles show up under our eyes. We all have dark circles under our eyes sometimes. Taking an antihistamine and getting a good night’s sleep can “help reduce the appearance of dark circles under the eyes” during allergy season, Zamani said. However, one deficiency may be more likely to cause dark circles than another deficiency. So, let’s narrow them down to the vitamin and mineral deficiencies most responsible for those dark circles. Start drinking decaffeinated teas and pure water. The lack of nutrients in the diet coming from nutrient dense foods can contribute to the discoloration of the area under the eyes. After consulting with him we found out that he was eating a lot of the wrong foods. Learn how your comment data is processed. The most common cause of anemia is from not getting enough iron in the diet to make the right amount of red blood cells the body needs. Not getting enough sleep can cause the skin to go pale which allows the darkness to appear more pronounced, … Too much sleep: Yep, it's true! Contrary to what you may have heard, fatigue usually doesn't play a role in dark under-eye circles, according to Mayo Clinic dermatologist Lawrence Gibson, M.D. Eyes are the most sensitive part of our body and one of major attraction in a human personality. Here at Caring Medical our natural medicine doctors can help with hormonal changes. Fed up with the way having these around my eyes makes me feel. Worst of all, dark circles under the eyes may occur due to underlying medical conditions. Learn all about dark circles under your eyes. Other factors that cause under eye dark circles are sleeplessness, stress , allergies , poor blood circulation which may be due to lack of exercise, and poor diet. When the body is not making enough stomach acid it can cause problems like indigestion, heartburn, depression, allergies, and the mal-digestion of proteins. His diet mainly consisted of simple carbohydrates like white pasta, pizza, and sweets.